Each time the nice people from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s publicity department contact me to say that they have a new Peterson’s Field Guide soon to be released, I always reply with a note that includes the text “Western? ;-)” As nine times out of ten they’re Eastern, this has become a friendly little joke between us. However every so often a new – or updated edition of a – Western guide does make an appearance.
This evening, as I sat at my desk with piles of new and forthcoming books stacked up around me, I just kept thinking “What’s it matter?” Who should really give a fat rat’s rump about anything I have to say about anything with so many hurting so badly.
Lepidopterists rejoice! Seabrooke Leckie has proclaimed tidings of great entomological joy on her Facebook and Twitter profiles: she has signed a contract to create a Peterson Field Guide to Moths of WESTERN North America.
2017 having been the bicentennial of the birth of one of America’s most iconic nature writers – Henry David Thoreau – it’s not at all surprising that the publishing world saw a spike in books taking as their respective subject his life, his work, or simply invoking his spirit.